Tag Archives: seller’s market

Maybe you found some inexpensive land in a great location. Maybe you’ve looked at dozens of homes, but none of them are the dream home you’re looking to buy.

So maybe building your own home is the right option for you. Yes, it requires a great deal of work and lots of hard decisions, but the ultimate reward is having the home you’ve always wanted and imagined!

Build Your Own Home

A few of the most important things to consider when building your own home:

1) HOME WARRANTIES
People love the idea of buying a home with a warranty that covers everything for up to 20 years. And the warranty on a brand-new home starts immediately on your closing date. But remember — your warranty doesn’t cover normal “wear and tear” or improper use of home components.

2) OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS
Many home builders offer incentives to get you to sign on the dotted line. Sometimes they’ll even throw in upgrades and bonus money that can be used for closing costs. However, now that we’re in a “seller’s market,” there are less reasons for builders to offer additional incentives. So in the current housing market, you might have to pay for that stainless steel fridge upgrade as an out-of-pocket expense.

3) CUSTOMIZATION
This might be the best part of building your own home — getting to pick the style of home, layout, square footage and room size, paint colors, even the building materials. And you can choose low maintenance options, energy-efficient appliances and other things that can save you money over the long run. But the initial costs can be high.

These are just three of the things to keep in mind if building your own home is the right choice for you.

If you’re trying to buy a home — but discovering that it’s now a seller’s market — I’ve got two words of advice, stolen from Douglas Adams: Don’t panic!

Here are three things you can do to make being a successful buyer in a seller’s market:

1. Be persistent.
It’s tougher to find a good deal, so you’ve got to be active and aware of what’s available. This is where having a smart, attentive REALTOR® can be helpful. They can help you stay on top of new listings and make sure any negotiations move at the right pace.2. Be specific.There’s a limited “inventory,” so you might have less to choose from in your search. So make sure that you (and your REALTOR) know exactly what you’re looking for — and where you’re looking for it — so you’re not wasting time or energy.3. Be a smart negotiator.It’s very likely that today’s home seller will have multiple offers on their property. It’s even more likely that those offers will be at their asking price or even above. Don’t waste your time — or theirs — with “lowball” offers. Make a fair offer, and you might even want to think about paying fees and closing costs to help seal the deal.Don’t lose hope — just because it might not be the absolute best time to be a home buyer, you can still find the right home. (It just might take a little more work!)Above all, be smart! Choose wisely when it comes to working with a REALTOR® — maybe even one with mortgage experience like me. 😉

Sounds pretty easy, right? And it should be — because heck, this kind of market is named after you!

But like all things, real estate can get complicated quickly. So let’s keep things simple and make sure you sell your home.

A few quick things to remember:

You’re in demand.
Your home, that is. With a limited “inventory” of homes available, it’s likely that you’ll have plenty of interest from home buyers. Don’t just take the first offer (unless it’s incredible!), and be patient. Let the bidding begin!

The price is right?
Because your home is in demand, you should be able to set — and get — a very good price for it. A year ago, home buyers were in the driver’s seat and getting great value on their purchases. Today, your home could be 10% more valuable than it was a year ago. (Or 20%. Or 30%. Your results may vary!)

Where are you going?
It’s great that you’ll probably be able to sell your house quickly and for a great price. But have you already purchased your next home? Rented an apartment or house? Because once you sign those papers, you and all your stuff need to be out of your old home. Make sure you and your REALTOR® have your next place all lined up!

So sit back and relax. As a seller in a seller’s market, you’re in a great position. Just keep your cool and be smart, and you’re bound to get a great deal.

Ready to sell your home and take advantage of the market?
Trust your future to the right REALTOR® — someone honest who will work tirelessly for you — like me!